Only Boys Aloud On Song For Hit Album

Only Boys Aloud, a Welsh all male voice choir formed by the man behind the group Only Men Aloud, have performed on X Factor, days after releasing their debut album.

The boys, all aged between 14 and 19, are from the Welsh Valleys, an area which has seen long term unemployment and a lack of opportunities for its youngsters since the demise of the mining industry.

Tim Rhys-Evan, the conductor and director, told Sky News he set up the group to reinvigorate the area he had seen suffer in the last few years.

"Everything was taken away. Nothing was left ... of what there was when I was a child. It makes it sound like I was brought up in Dickensian Britain or something but there was a lovely sense of community and the choir was part of that, same as the rugby club ... and the men's working men's clubs and all of that.

"Seeing this breakdown in community I just thought it was a great opportunity to bring the choir back."

Only Boys Aloud first appeared on Britain's Got Talent, coming third earlier this year. They released their debut album on December 3.

The boys were recruited from schools in South Wales, with a variety of different backgrounds and abilities.

William Thomas, one of the lads in the choir, says for him it has been life changing.

He said: "I can't really put into words how much it's helped me grow up and mature as a person but every last bit of it has been incredible and I've loved every minute of it."

The choir will be teaming up with their big brothers, Only Men Aloud, in Llandudno on December 22 and at the Wales Millennium Centre on December 24 and 30.

Mr Rhys-Evans told Sky News he has seen a huge change for the better in many of the boys.

"I just hope by planting a seed in these lads' minds now it's something they can take through the rest of their lives.

"Even if they don't, I just hope the experience they've had will make them strive for something better in their own lives and hopefully, if nothing else, we've created some fantastic memories."